The Politics Thread

[Athers]

The point is that it's GETTING better. If this momentum carries on 15 months down the line when we have the election, more and more people will feel it.

The ONS figures also showed that the number of people in employment increased by 280,000 to reach 30.15 million.

Bet these folk think things are better now though!

Feeling better than compared to when? I'm sure they'll feel better than when they were unemployed but what was their situation pre-crash?

Also, with inflation hitting it's target of 2%, Unemployment set to go below 7%, how long can the BoE maintain interest rates at 0.5%, and if they are forced to increase them how sensititive will the recovery be to an interest rates rise?

This seems to suggest an across the board turn for the better, obviously Dave from BNP is paid to go through teh figures, I can't right now!

"Especially pleasing is that the fall in unemployment is coming both from declining short and long-term unemployment, and a large decline in unemployment amongst 18-24 year olds," said David Tinsley from BNP Paribas, who described the overall figures as "staggeringly strong".

On the Base Rate, get to personal opinion really - my own is that I think they can/will keep it where it is for at least 6 months for the point you make - let's not make it more costly for businesses to borrow just yet. There'll be a bit of a delay until bigger wage rises put [or are expected to put in future] upward inflationary pressure on prices, at which point we might see it up a couple of notches..

[thebish]

on the other hand - I am irritated by Labour's constant "standard of living" mantra. To me, it is FAR from obvious that we should expect an year-on-year endless rise in standard of living... i'm quite happy with my standard of living now. it is modest by UK standards - but massively privileged by world standards... i don't need to to rise - i am happy enough anyway - i'd still be happy if it fell....

I get that, though an improvement in standard of living especially for the poorest elements of society is important. Especially now when I suspect many people are far far worse off than they were pre 2008.

yes - indeed - totes agree! but Labour is talking all the time about the "squeezed middle" (people like me) - not just the poorest people in our society... these are people who can generally still afford to go on holiday and don't have to worry THAT much if there will be any cash in the bank at the end of the month..

[BWFC_Insane]

on the other hand - I am irritated by Labour's constant "standard of living" mantra. To me, it is FAR from obvious that we should expect an year-on-year endless rise in standard of living... i'm quite happy with my standard of living now. it is modest by UK standards - but massively privileged by world standards... i don't need to to rise - i am happy enough anyway - i'd still be happy if it fell....

I get that, though an improvement in standard of living especially for the poorest elements of society is important. Especially now when I suspect many people are far far worse off than they were pre 2008.

yes - indeed - totes agree! but Labour is talking all the time about the "squeezed middle" (people like me) - not just the poorest people in our society... these are people who can generally still afford to go on holiday and don't have to worry THAT much if there will be any cash in the bank at the end of the month..

I haven't been following too closely to be honest. I know that whenever I've heard them talk about Standard of Living they've mentioned the poorest and most vulnerable in society. I'm fine with the message as I've heard it at least. I'm just not entirely sure what they really plan to do about it?

[Bruce Rioja]

I don't have stats to back any of this up.

But yet strangely you feel qualified to comment from 3000 miles away - go figure!

But bizarrely he seems more in touch with what is actually happening than some of those who comment from these shores!

People like you, do you mean?

Actually it's an interesting debate and I don't know where the truth lies. On PMQs earlier, Cameron was countering Milliband's assertion that the standard of living has gone down with - people are better off due to tax cuts. However, on the regional news last night it was saying that there's been a marked increase in people turning up ont' cadge at food banks. Is there some poorness criteria to be met for drawing food from these places?

[Prufrock]

on the other hand - I am irritated by Labour's constant "standard of living" mantra. To me, it is FAR from obvious that we should expect an year-on-year endless rise in standard of living... i'm quite happy with my standard of living now. it is modest by UK standards - but massively privileged by world standards... i don't need to to rise - i am happy enough anyway - i'd still be happy if it fell....

But that's what a government is for! The whole bloody point of that lot is to give us the best 'standard of living'! Sure, that means different things for different people, and what is good for some might not be for others, but of course they're going on about it! Their job is to persuade you they'd be best at it so you vote for them.

[thebish]

on the other hand - I am irritated by Labour's constant "standard of living" mantra. To me, it is FAR from obvious that we should expect an year-on-year endless rise in standard of living... i'm quite happy with my standard of living now. it is modest by UK standards - but massively privileged by world standards... i don't need to to rise - i am happy enough anyway - i'd still be happy if it fell....

But that's what a government is for! The whole bloody point of that lot is to give us the best 'standard of living'! Sure, that means different things for different people, and what is good for some might not be for others, but of course they're going on about it! Their job is to persuade you they'd be best at it so you vote for them.

I realise I am probably out of line - but standard of living measured in more (net) cash in my pocket doesn't really excite me - and it's not the main reason I'd vote for a government. also - labour isn't even doing a good job at explaining how they'd do it... (not that this would stop me voting Labour!)

[BWFC_Insane]

I don't have stats to back any of this up.

But yet strangely you feel qualified to comment from 3000 miles away - go figure!

But bizarrely he seems more in touch with what is actually happening than some of those who comment from these shores!

People like you, do you mean?

Actually it's an interesting debate and I don't know where the truth lies. On PMQs earlier, Cameron was countering Milliband's assertion that the standard of living has gone down with - people are better off due to tax cuts. However, on the regional news last night it was saying that there's been a marked increase in people turning up ont' cadge at food banks. Is there some poorness criteria to be met for drawing food from these places?

Indeed....

[Athers]

I believe Labour's stats are simply wage rises vs inflation, with the former below the latter in every month of the Parliament except one.

Trying to find a more up to date version of this, but you can see where they were at change of govt, the lines haven't crossed YET



Doesn't take into account increases in the personal allowance up to £10k of course.

[Prufrock]

on the other hand - I am irritated by Labour's constant "standard of living" mantra. To me, it is FAR from obvious that we should expect an year-on-year endless rise in standard of living... i'm quite happy with my standard of living now. it is modest by UK standards - but massively privileged by world standards... i don't need to to rise - i am happy enough anyway - i'd still be happy if it fell....

But that's what a government is for! The whole bloody point of that lot is to give us the best 'standard of living'! Sure, that means different things for different people, and what is good for some might not be for others, but of course they're going on about it! Their job is to persuade you they'd be best at it so you vote for them.

I realise I am probably out of line - but standard of living measured in more (net) cash in my pocket doesn't really excite me - and it's not the main reason I'd vote for a government. also - labour isn't even doing a good job at explaining how they'd do it... (not that this would stop me voting Labour!)

I think one's 'standard if living' includes a hell of a lot more than just the cash in one's pocket. That said, that is certainly a large factor. I think it's the job of the govt to improve people's standard of living, and setting out how they'll do this will rightly, IMO, involve a lot of telling people how they make sure we have more money.

[thebish]

well it seems I am out of kilter then - as i thought - because I would not judge a government's manifesto primarily on how they planned to increase the amount of money in MY account... I don't think it is the govt's job to GENERALLY improve standards of living - I'd like to see redistribution of wealth - which inevitably means a drop in the standard of living for some... that makes me an old fasahioned dinosaur - but I am happy being so...

as for other factors... Dave seems to have dropped all the stuff he used to talk about involving some kind of UK happiness index...

[William the White]

I don't have stats to back any of this up.

But yet strangely you feel qualified to comment from 3000 miles away - go figure!

But bizarrely he seems more in touch with what is actually happening than some of those who comment from these shores!

People like you, do you mean?

Actually it's an interesting debate and I don't know where the truth lies. On PMQs earlier, Cameron was countering Milliband's assertion that the standard of living has gone down with - people are better off due to tax cuts. However, on the regional news last night it was saying that there's been a marked increase in people turning up ont' cadge at food banks. Is there some poorness criteria to be met for drawing food from these places?

How it works - from the Trussell trust website - they run foodbanks throughout the country.

Frontline care professionals identify people in need

Care professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers, CAB and police identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher. Foodbanks partner with a wide range of care professionals who are best placed to assess need and make sure that it is genuine.

Find out more here: http://www.trusselltrust.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bruce Rioja]

I don't have stats to back any of this up.

But yet strangely you feel qualified to comment from 3000 miles away - go figure!

But bizarrely he seems more in touch with what is actually happening than some of those who comment from these shores!

People like you, do you mean?

Actually it's an interesting debate and I don't know where the truth lies. On PMQs earlier, Cameron was countering Milliband's assertion that the standard of living has gone down with - people are better off due to tax cuts. However, on the regional news last night it was saying that there's been a marked increase in people turning up ont' cadge at food banks. Is there some poorness criteria to be met for drawing food from these places?

How it works - from the Trussell trust website - they run foodbanks throughout the country.

Frontline care professionals identify people in need

Care professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers, CAB and police identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher. Foodbanks partner with a wide range of care professionals who are best placed to assess need and make sure that it is genuine.

Find out more here: http://www.trusselltrust.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ah. Cheers Will.

[Hoboh]

well it seems I am out of kilter then - as i thought - because I would not judge a government's manifesto primarily on how they planned to increase the amount of money in MY account... I don't think it is the govt's job to GENERALLY improve standards of living - I'd like to see redistribution of wealth - which inevitably means a drop in the standard of living for some... that makes me an old fasahioned dinosaur - but I am happy being so...

as for other factors... Dave seems to have dropped all the stuff he used to talk about involving some kind of UK happiness index...

I agree but would add;

It is the duty of the government to provide a climate that will facilitate improved standards of living.

You cannot kill government intervention nor can capitalism run wild.

[thebish]

in the light of a recent vote in the House of Commons where the house voted to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the impact of the government’s welfare reforms on the incidence of poverty by a majority of 125-2...

(but the government is ignoring it)

this is interesting (I think)

http://www.michaelmeacher.info/weblog/2 ... arliament/

[Lord Kangana]

Unacceptable.

[Athers]

I believe Labour's stats are simply wage rises vs inflation, with the former below the latter in every month of the Parliament except one.

Trying to find a more up to date version of this, but you can see where they were at change of govt, the lines haven't crossed YET



Doesn't take into account increases in the personal allowance up to £10k of course.

Sure enough the national debate has been about this over the last couple of days.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25878173" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This seems to suggest...... not sure.

[Hoboh]

in the light of a recent vote in the House of Commons where the house voted to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the impact of the government’s welfare reforms on the incidence of poverty by a majority of 125-2...

(but the government is ignoring it)

this is interesting (I think)

http://www.michaelmeacher.info/weblog/2 ... arliament/

Disgusting, yet another reason why we should not trust the political elite with other issues like the EU.

[Harry Genshaw]

Amidst todays main debate - does anyone feel better off at the moment?. Most folk I know have had no pay increase or minimal at best for quite a few years. Are the majority of folk really better off? I know I'm not!

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

in the light of a recent vote in the House of Commons where the house voted to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the impact of the government’s welfare reforms on the incidence of poverty by a majority of 125-2...

(but the government is ignoring it)

this is interesting (I think)

http://www.michaelmeacher.info/weblog/2 ... arliament/

Disgusting, yet another reason why we should not trust the political elite with other issues like the EU.

Isn't the thrust of the anti-EU argument usually that sovereignty should reside with the British Parliament?

[thebish]

Amidst todays main debate - does anyone feel better off at the moment?. Most folk I know have had no pay increase or minimal at best for quite a few years. Are the majority of folk really better off? I know I'm not!

unless you are in the top 10% (like WtW!) - then you are - no end of govt spokesrobots have announced it to be so today! (and - no - they haven't come up with a totally new and artificially manufactured measure of standard-of-living to suit their case - no - not at all - never... errr...)